Anthony Joshua is set to make his long-awaited debut in Nigeria, with plans for the heavyweight boxer to fight in the country in early 2026.
Promoter Dr Ezekiel Adamu, CEO of Balmoral, confirmed that talks with Joshua’s camp have been positive and that a deal is in the works for a historic homecoming fight.
“I spoke with him and his team, and they said if an offer came from Nigeria, it would be a perfect fit,” Adamu told The Ring. “Joshua has always said he wants to fight in Nigeria before retiring, and we are going to make it happen.”
The fight is expected to take place at the 50,000-capacity Abuja Stadium, with plans to match Joshua against another African fighter. Names being considered include Tony Yoka, Martin Bakole, and even Deontay Wilder, who has Nigerian roots.
Adamu dismissed rumours of Joshua fighting in Ghana, stressing that Nigeria is the natural choice. “Joshua is Nigerian. Nigeria is the biggest market. It’s a no-brainer for him to fight here,” he said.
Joshua, born in Watford but partly schooled in Nigeria, has often spoken about his connection to the country. He also has a tattoo of Nigeria’s map on his right shoulder.
Adamu believes Nigeria can become a hub for big boxing events, saying the country has the population, infrastructure, and expertise to host world-class fights.
“We see October 1’s ‘Chaos in the Ring’ as just a sneak peek of what is possible. This is only the beginning,” he said.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has in the past mentioned the idea of the boxer fighting in Africa, but this is the first time concrete plans are being put forward. A 2026 fight in Nigeria would be a landmark moment for African boxing and could pave the way for more major bouts on the continent.
